Quick Answer
For a first playthrough, our S-tier priorities are The Two Celestials for healing and Wind-Whipper for groups. Add Earth-Shakers when guarded enemies slow you down. At The Oni’s Apprentice, learn Deflect through the training, then consider Blazing State if you land parries or Chain Issen if you regularly land Issen. These skills use Power Stones; equipment enhancements use their own materials.
Start with the weapon you will actually use
A strong upgrade should solve a problem in your next fight. These priorities match our full Armament tier list: The Two Celestials and Wind-Whipper are useful often, while Earth-Shakers can be the better first choice against a shield or a difficult guard.
- Compare the four tiers, six Armaments and Oni Bow
- Get the early weapons before planning their upgrades
| Priority | Weapon | Good at | First skill to consider | When to choose it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S · Frequent use | The Two Celestials | Close-range attacks that release healing Yellow Souls | Two Celestials: Combo Strength | You have safe attack openings but still need healing. |
| S · Frequent use | Wind-Whipper | Wide attacks that control nearby groups | Wind-Whipper: Power/Duration | Several enemies keep crowding you. |
| A · Strong specialist | Earth-Shakers | Stamina pressure against guards and armor | Earth-Shakers: Charge Level | You can reach an enemy but its defenses stop your damage. |
A useful order for your first upgrades
A useful opening skill budget is 4 Power Stones for Deflect and Blazing State, if parrying is your chosen approach. Two Celestials: Combo Strength costs a separate 2 Oni Stones. Do not count those as interchangeable stones.
After the first Oni Portal, compare your next 2 Power Stones against Charm Capacity 1 if you already own a second useful charm. Later, reserve 3 Power Stones for Charm Capacity 2 when you can fill the third slot.
| Step | Choose this | Why now |
|---|---|---|
| 1 · Follow the training | Learn Deflect during The Oni’s Apprentice. | It gives you a way to damage enemy stamina and work toward Break Issen. |
| 2 · Support your reliable move | Pick Blazing State for regular parries or Chain Issen for Issen follow-ups. | Spend on the technique you can already trigger in a fight. |
| 3 · Improve your usual Armament | Inspect The Two Celestials skills, or the next Wind-Whipper upgrade when it opens. | A familiar special attack is a better investment than one you rarely activate. |
| 4 · Recheck all equipment tracks | Compare the next clothing, sword and gauntlet enhancements. | Their materials differ; an available clothing enhancement need not compete with a sword enhancement. |
| 5 · Add a tool for the next obstacle | Consider bow power, guard pressure or exploration skills. | Buy the answer to a recurring problem before filling out unused branches. |
Skill costs and unlock conditions
Power Stones and Oni Stones are different resources. A Red Soul balance cannot pay a stone requirement. The unlock condition is also part of the cost: having enough currency does not make a later skill available early.
| Skill | Cost | Available from | What it helps with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deflect | 2 Power Stones | The Oni’s Apprentice; taught in the mission | Timed defense that damages enemy stamina and can reflect projectiles. |
| Blazing State | 2 Power Stones | The Oni’s Apprentice | Rewards repeated parries through the Blaze Gauge. |
| Chain Issen | 2 Power Stones | The Oni’s Apprentice | Useful when you want to follow an Issen into nearby enemies. |
| Oni Bow Power 1 | 3,500 Red Souls | The Oni’s Apprentice | A damage upgrade for players who use the bow in combat. |
| Two Celestials: Combo Strength | 2 Oni Stones | After finding The Two Celestials | Develops the paired blades you use for close-range healing. |
| Wind-Whipper: Power/Duration | 2 Oni Stones | After the first Oni Portal; Armament required | Supports the whirlwind you use for groups. |
| Earth-Shakers: Charge Level | 2 Oni Stones | After the first Oni Portal; Armament required | Adds a charge upgrade to your guard-pressure option. |
| Oni Vision: Treasures | 2 Oni Stones | In the Oni Vision skill branch | Helps you find exploration rewards and pickups. |
| Charm Capacity 1 | 2 Power Stones | After the first Oni Portal | Equip a second charm; buy it when you have a useful pairing. |
| Charm Capacity 2 | 3 Power Stones | After the third Oni Portal | Complete a three-charm late-game setup. |
| Deflection Power 1 | 4,500 Red Souls | After the first Oni Portal | Develop a defense you already use to empty enemy stamina. |
| Oni Awakening: Duration | 3 Oni Stones | After the third Oni Portal | Extend an unlocked transformation that is central to your late-game plan. |
How to grow each weapon choice
Use the next option only if that Armament remains part of your setup. You do not have to complete one branch before improving anything else. If the next boss exposes a different weakness, put the available resources toward the tool that addresses it.
| Armament | Start here | Next useful option | Later option |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Two Celestials | Combo Strength: 2 Oni Stones after pickup | Power: 4,500 Red Souls after the first Oni Portal | Combo Strength+: 3 Oni Stones after the second Oni Portal |
| Wind-Whipper | Power/Duration: 2 Oni Stones after the first Oni Portal | Power: 5,500 Red Souls after the second Oni Portal | Range: 3 Oni Stones after the third Oni Portal |
| Earth-Shakers | Charge Level: 2 Oni Stones after the first Oni Portal | Power: 5,500 Red Souls after the second Oni Portal | Charge Time: 3 Oni Stones after the third Oni Portal |
Equipment upgrades use a different set of materials
At the Spirit Mirror, open Enhance Equipment/Abilities and inspect the clothing, sword and gauntlet tracks. Each has its own materials and stat preview, so check all three during the same visit.
For the initial Level 2 upgrades, clothing needs 1 Hempen Cloth + 1 Cotton Cloth, while the sword needs 1 Whetstone + 1 Iron. Later levels and proficiency unlocks change the requirements; compare the next menu entry rather than repeating the opening recipe.
| Track | What improves | Material examples | Prioritize when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clothing | Health and stamina | Cloth, leather and silk | Mistakes end attempts before you can learn the enemy. |
| Sword | General attack, Issen and Oni Armament power | Whetstones, iron, tempered iron and Tamahagane | You survive, but safe attack openings achieve too little. |
| Gauntlet | Oni powers and soul absorption | Malicite, Byakue’s Talisman and other Genma materials | Oni abilities are a regular part of your strategy. |
When you are short on a resource
- Read the exact resource name in the upgrade menu. Power Stones, Oni Stones and Red Souls are separate requirements.
- Check quest reward previews before choosing your next route. Match the reward to the material you need.
- Inspect nearby treasure chests while completing the mission. A weapon pickup and an equipment material are different rewards.
- Keep enough for the next useful skill you have chosen. A fixed spending percentage is less useful than knowing the actual price and unlock condition.
- Charm enhancement is another budget: each Level 2 upgrade costs 3,000 Red Souls + 3,500 Favor at Enma’s Hall. Improving three equipped charms to Level 2 costs 9,000 Red Souls + 10,500 Favor; later levels have their own displayed cost.
Turn the upgrade into a better fight
Issen is the attack timed just before an enemy’s hit connects. Break Issen follows an emptied enemy stamina gauge. Learning which opening you are creating makes a bigger difference than trying to force the same combo into every attack.
| Situation | Your next action | What you gain |
|---|---|---|
| You recognize a parryable attack | Time the parry; build toward Blazing State through repeated successful parries. | A defensive habit that also strengthens your offense. |
| You need to empty enemy stamina | Use Deflect or Earth-Shakers during an appropriate opening. | A route toward Break Issen when the gauge is depleted. |
| Your health is low but the enemy is recovering | Use The Two Celestials, then absorb the Yellow Souls. | Healing from an opening you have already earned. |
| Several enemies are within reach | Use Wind-Whipper before the group closes off your movement. | Space to resume controlled swordplay. |
Before starting another playthrough
Finish the upgrades you need for the current final fight, then review the New Game Plus carryover rules before starting over. Keep a separate save before committing to the next run.
Direct answers
Frequently asked questions
What are the S-tier weapons in Onimusha: Way of the Sword?
For general first-playthrough use, we prioritize The Two Celestials for healing and Wind-Whipper for groups. Earth-Shakers is a strong specialist when enemy stamina, shields or armor are the problem. These are Oni Armaments that complement Musashi’s katana.
Which skills should I unlock first?
Follow the Deflect training in The Oni’s Apprentice, then consider Blazing State for parry-heavy play or Chain Issen if you reliably land Issen. Each uses 2 Power Stones, so choose for the technique you actually use.
Are all upgrades paid for with Red Souls?
No. Skills can require Red Souls, Power Stones or Oni Stones. Equipment enhancements have their own material tracks, and charm enhancement has separate costs.
Do Raizan and Enryuu have different damage or upgrade trees?
No. They are cosmetic sword appearances and do not alter combat performance. Upgrade the sword equipment track and relevant skills for combat improvements.
Should I upgrade the sword before clothing?
Check both. Their materials differ, so you may be able to improve both during the same mirror visit. Read the next stat preview and address the part of the fight that is holding you back.